Appeal to bring forward Argyll and Bute’s £50m rural growth deal

The £50m rural growth deal for Argyll and Bute needs to be accelerated due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions, the council’s leader has said.

Aileen Morton has written to Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Islands and Connectivity Michael Matheson, following the council’s recent agreement of an economic recovery plan for the area.

The next stage for the rural growth deal is to agree heads of terms which will set out how the funding will be put to use.

Cllr Morton said: “We have to look after our economic health as well as our physical health for our communities to live well.

“Jobs lost, businesses at risk, regeneration on hold – an unhealthy economy drags everyone down in some way.

“Our rural growth deal can and will play a key role in Argyll and Bute’s Covid-19 recovery.

“Moving it ahead at pace has always been absolutely crucial for Argyll and Bute, even before the pandemic took its toll. The area faces unique challenges of a falling population and diverse geography.

“The deal is all about bringing transformational investment into the area, to turn economic opportunities into growth and a sustainable future for Argyll and Bute.

“Making Argyll and Bute economically successful will also contribute to a UK-wide economic recovery.

“We would urge both Governments therefore to work with us in delivering with urgency the economic support Argyll and Bute needs.”

The Scottish and UK Governments have each committed £25m each to support projects, designed by the council, to deliver success across Argyll and Bute based on:

• Attracting: additional skills, training and learning opportunities: new residents, visitors and businesses
• Growing: doing more of what works; making more of natural and built resources
• Connecting: ‘high value business sectors’ with national and international business markets; local economic successes with national strategic priorities.

The overarching aim of the RGD is to meet the council’s vision of economic success based on a growing population.